MURFREESBORO — A new doctoral
degree program will move MTSU forward into its second century of teaching
Tennessee’s educators: the Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning and
School Improvement.

The
new program, which will begin in fall 2013 and is the first of its kind in
Tennessee, aims to help preK-12 educators improve their students’ academic
achievement.

The
Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved the measure on July 26. The
Tennessee Board of Regents gave its OK earlier this summer.

The
new doctorate will train educators to analyze student-learning data and
pinpoint areas of success as well as areas in need of attention, according to
MTSU’s program proposal.

“MTSU
is thankful to THEC and TBR for their approval of this innovative doctoral
program,” said University Provost Brad Bartel. “It represents a new and needed
approach to improving K-12 education throughout Tennessee. Our dedicated
faculty worked long and hard developing this new program to be at the leading
edge of educational reform.”

MTSU’s
College of Education already coordinates the literacy studies doctoral program.
The mathematics and science-education program in the College of Basic and
Applied Sciences focuses on K-12 math and science teacher training.

The
new Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning and School Improvement degree
will be headquartered in MTSU’s College of Education, which moved into a new
$30 million, state-of-the-art building last year.

“Approval
of this unique doctoral program is a major accomplishment for MTSU and the
College of Education,” said education Dean Lana Seivers. “More importantly, its
relevance to today’s k-12 schools will provide the opportunity for educators to
develop the skills that can have an impact on student achievement.”

MTSU
is one of the top producers of teachers in Tennessee. In fall 2011, there were
133 graduate students seeking education degrees at MTSU, including 20 in the
literacy-studies doctoral program.

Three
hundred ninety-seven students earned advanced degrees in education from MTSU in
2010-11.

Mike
Krause, director of Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Higher Education
Commission, said MTSU’s new doctoral program complements the university’s
overall mission and the state’s Complete College Tennessee Act, which aims to
increase the number of state residents with college degrees.

“The
Complete College Tennessee Act keenly focuses on ensuring that new academic
programs are consonant with each institution’s distinct mission,” Krause said.
“The Ed.D in Assessment, Learning and School Improvement is just such a
program, and is fully aligned with MTSU’s mission. It is a welcome addition to
the state inventory.”

Others
agree.

“The
program offers the best example of an attempt to bridge the gap between
universities and public-school practitioners that I have ever seen,” said Dr.
Roland Barth, founding director of Harvard University’s Principals’ Center and
one of three nationally recognized education experts who reviewed the new ALSI
degree proposal.

“Its
focus on learning for both adults and students, its use of balanced assessment
processes to monitor learning and inform professional practice and its
recognition of the need to develop the collective capacity of a staff to
improve their schools is exactly what educators need in an era of
accountability that places greater demands upon schools.”

Like
MTSU’s other doctoral programs, the new degree will require 60 credit hours of
study focusing on core aspects of student learning, student-learning
assessment, research-based school improvement and research methods, as well as
a dissertation.

MTSU
expects to enroll 20 students in the ALSI program in the first year and double
it the following year, rising to a projected 60 doctoral students by academic
year 2017-18. They’ll probably be part-time students and will complete their
degrees in the three-year cohort model, officials said.

Tennessee’s
136 school systems currently serve 1,736 preK-12 schools with more than 900,000
students. Only 13 percent, or 917, of the 68,840 K-12 teachers and
administrators across the state hold a doctorate in education, while 56 percent
(38,704) of those educators have earned master’s or education-specialist
degrees.

As the
only degree of its kind in Tennessee, the ALSI doctoral program can serve the
remaining 87 percent of the state’s educators, as well as those in southern
Kentucky and northern Alabama.

“MTSU
has a proud history of developing signature programs designed to meet the
emerging needs of Tennessee and the nation,” said President Sidney A. McPhee.
“The Ed.D (Doctor of Education) program is one piece of a larger commitment by
our university to support Tennessee’s teachers and schools.”

Those
wanting to learn more about the program can email inquiries to EdD@mtsu.edu.

—30—

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized
MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and
partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride,
Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s
Best"! For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.